Biochemical and clinical effects of treating the premenstrual syndrome with prostaglandin synthesis precursors.

The clinical and biochemical effects of a prostaglandin synthesis precursor (Efamol) containing linoleic acid and its metabolite, gamma-linolenic acid, were studied in 30 women with severe, incapacitating premenstrual syndrome. Efamol treatment alleviated the premenstrual symptoms in general and depression especially better than did a placebo. The capacity of platelets to release thromboxane B2 during spontaneous clotting was decreased in patients undergoing Efamol treatment (141 +/- 59 ng/ml, mean +/- SD) as compared to those undergoing placebo treatment (186 +/- 44 ng/ml, p less than 0.01) and control subjects (176 +/- 40 ng/ml, n = 25, p less than 0.05). No changes were found in plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha or in FSH, LH, prolactin, progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. The data suggest that prostaglandins might play a role in the pathophysiology of the premenstrual syndrome.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes